Smoke in tha City
MC Eiht · 2004
77 min · 19 tracks · gangsta rap
A gritty exploration of street life, blending sharp narratives with a smooth G-funk backdrop and hard-hitting beats.
Top tracks — play these first
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Do Compton — This track stands out for its vivid portrayal of Compton life, encapsulating the essence of gangsta rap with a confident delivery and engaging beats.
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My Nine Mil — Offering a raw narrative on survival and street violence, this track highlights MC Eiht's storytelling prowess while reflecting the harsh realities of urban life.
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Stand Up — As an empowering anthem, this song blends assertive lyrics with an infectious groove, showcasing Eiht’s ability to blend motivation with tough street sensibilities.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends narrative-driven lyrics with a smooth G-funk backdrop, showcasing MC Eiht's style but lacking standout innovation.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent G-funk sound, with smooth synths and laid-back grooves that underpin the majority of the tracks.
- Lyrically, MC Eiht employs vivid storytelling, often using first-person narratives to depict street life and personal experiences.
- Several tracks incorporate call-and-response elements, engaging listeners and creating a sense of interaction.
- The pacing varies, with some tracks maintaining a steady mid-tempo while others shift to more aggressive beats.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady groove for late drives
- introspective narratives with grit
- consistent flow for focused listening
- urban storytelling in every track
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat party tracks
- seek instant gratification
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2004, Smoke in tha City marked MC Eiht's return to the forefront after a hiatus since his last studio album in 1999. This album showcased his continued influence in West Coast hip-hop while navigating personal and industry challenges, including evolving styles within gangsta rap.
- Stylistic neighbors
- DJ Quik· Cypress Hill· Kurupt
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Stand Up 5:18
- 2 Do Compton 4:04
- 3 I'm That 3:59
- 4 My Nine Mil 4:39
- 5 Everyday 4:10
- 6 Get at Me 4:25
- 7 She Likes Gurlz 3:58
- 8 Don't Play 3:48
- 9 Whateva You Do 3:39
- 10 8 Seconds 4:21
- 11 Don't Move 4:02
- 12 Some Don't Make It 3:58
- 13 Killin Folks 3:48
- 14 U Owe Me 3:40
- 15 They Hatin 3:58
- 16 Thats My Shit 4:30
- 17 We Don't Like You 2:45
- 18 U Got Me Fucc'd Up 4:10
- 19 When I Go 4:29
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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